The Cavaliers’ offseason may not have been especially productive in terms of pulling them closer to the Warriors, but no one could say that it hasn’t been eventful. Cleveland has dealt with as much drama as any team in the league this summer between rumors LeBron James could leave next summer, the departure of general manager David Griffin, failed attempts at trading for a star, and the sudden trade request from star point guard Kyrie Irving.
James’ looming free agency and Irving’s trade request both weigh heavily on the organization as it inches ever closer to training camp in what could be the final season of contention for this core group, and both will have an impact on the other. The original idea of the Cavs in trading Irving was to land a starting caliber veteran, a strong young asset on a rookie deal, and a future draft pick, but after failing to get any traction on a deal getting that much in return, their demands have apparently shifted, in part due to fear that James could leave.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Tuesday morning that the Cavs had now shifted focus in Irving trade talks to ensuring they acquire a strong young player and future assets, because of fear that James could leave them with nothing. On The Russillo Show on ESPN Radio, Woj expounded on what was driving the Cavs and how they were trying to learn from the misfortune of others that have seen stars walk.
“What you’re seeing is, Cleveland looked at what happened in Oklahoma City where Durant walked and LeBron walked on Miami and they don’t want to put themselves in a situation where it’s going to take years to untangle all of these contracts to do a rebuild. Without a commitment right now, they’re starting to look at a rebuild. Because, Kyrie’s the only player they can get value for. Kevin Love’s value has diminished over the years. Can’t get as much for him in a trade. They found that out when they shopped him this offseason. And LeBron can walk, and they can’t trade him, he has no-trade clause. So, Kyrie is the only player they can get something back for and they’re determined to get back assets that will benefit them in the long-term.”
As Woj notes, the only chance the Cavs have at hitting the reset button and not sliding back in significant fashion like they did when James left in 2010 (or the other examples he notes felt in the aftermath of a star departure) is to flip Irving for young players and picks to avoid having a bare cupboard should James leave next summer. James’ unwillingness to accept a trade this season, which he’s already proclaimed, and their inability to turn Love into a high draft pick (and subsequently Paul George or Jimmy Butler) in June has led them to the understanding that Irving is their last hope.
What hurts them in this quest is Irving beating them to the punch and requesting a trade, which has diminished his value on the market, as teams will hope Cleveland gets desperate. Woj went on to note that the Cavs will, due to Irving’s contract, be forced to take on veteran players that could help some in the immediate for James’ latest run to the Finals, but that it will no longer be centerpiece type players (unless some team will part with a young star and a veteran starter for some reason).
Irving was always going to be the Cavaliers’ insurance policy if James ever wanted to leave, they just never thought it would be in this manner. The 25-year-old point guard was going to be the team’s future and their building block if James left, but now he’s become trade bait and their only chance at getting a jumpstart on a rebuild.
